Brinker International, Inc. $EAT Stock Sold by Smith Group Asset Management LLC

Key Points

• Smith Group Asset Management cut its Brinker International stake by 73.7% in the third quarter, selling 15,232 shares and retaining 5,437 shares worth approximately $1.05 million.
• Brinker reported strong quarterly results, with adjusted EPS of $2.77 and revenue of $1.48 billion, exceeding estimates. Chili’s posted its 22nd consecutive quarter of comparable-sales growth, while management raised fiscal 2027 adjusted EPS guidance to $13.30–$13.90.
• Analyst sentiment remains positive, with a consensus “Moderate Buy” rating and an average price target of $249.45. However, insiders sold approximately $41.6 million of company stock over the past 90 days.

Smith Group Asset Management LLC decreased its stake in Brinker International, Inc. (NYSE:EAT - Free Report) by 73.7% in the 3rd quarter, according to the company in its most recent disclosure with the Securities and Exchange Commission. The firm owned 5,437 shares of the restaurant operator's stock after selling 15,232 shares during the period. Smith Group Asset Management LLC's holdings in Brinker International were worth $1,052,000 as of its most recent filing with the Securities and Exchange Commission.

Other hedge funds also recently made changes to their positions in the company. Root Financial Partners LLC acquired a new position in shares of Brinker International in the third quarter worth approximately $28,000. Kilter Group LLC acquired a new stake in Brinker International during the 2nd quarter valued at approximately $35,000. CoreCap Advisors LLC increased its position in Brinker International by 33,000.0% during the 2nd quarter. CoreCap Advisors LLC now owns 331 shares of the restaurant operator's stock valued at $56,000 after purchasing an additional 330 shares during the period. Global Retirement Partners LLC acquired a new stake in Brinker International during the 2nd quarter valued at approximately $71,000. Finally, Parkside Financial Bank & Trust raised its holdings in Brinker International by 881.2% during the 2nd quarter. Parkside Financial Bank & Trust now owns 471 shares of the restaurant operator's stock worth $79,000 after purchasing an additional 423 shares during the last quarter.

Insider Activity at Brinker International

In related news, Director Joseph DePinto sold 25,000 shares of the stock in a transaction on Friday, August 28th. The shares were sold at an average price of $230.39, for a total transaction of $5,759,750.00. Following the transaction, the director directly owned 77,812 shares of the company's stock, valued at $17,927,106.68. This represents a 24.32% decrease in their ownership of the stock. The sale was disclosed in a legal filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which can be accessed through the SEC website. Also, CEO Kevin Hochman sold 40,000 shares of the firm's stock in a transaction on Monday, August 17th. The stock was sold at an average price of $243.15, for a total transaction of $9,726,000.00. Following the completion of the sale, the chief executive officer owned 144,090 shares of the company's stock, valued at $35,035,483.50. The trade was a 21.73% decrease in their ownership of the stock. The SEC filing for this sale provides additional information. Insiders have sold 173,694 shares of company stock worth $41,568,690 over the last ninety days. 1.18% of the stock is owned by corporate insiders.

Wall Street Analysts Forecast Growth

A number of brokerages have recently issued reports on EAT. Northcoast Research upgraded shares of Brinker International from a "neutral" rating to a "buy" rating and set a $275.00 price target on the stock in a research report on Tuesday, September 22nd. Wells Fargo & Company reduced their price objective on shares of Brinker International from $280.00 to $270.00 and set an "overweight" rating on the stock in a research note on Wednesday, October 21st. Mizuho increased their price objective on shares of Brinker International from $175.00 to $275.00 and gave the stock an "outperform" rating in a research report on Thursday, August 13th. Bank of America lifted their target price on shares of Brinker International from $224.00 to $310.00 and gave the stock a "buy" rating in a research note on Friday, August 14th. Finally, Weiss Ratings upgraded shares of Brinker International from a "buy (b-)" rating to a "buy (b)" rating in a report on Friday, September 11th. Three equities research analysts have rated the stock with a Strong Buy rating, sixteen have given a Buy rating and four have issued a Hold rating to the company's stock. Based on data from MarketBeat.com, the company has a consensus rating of "Moderate Buy" and a consensus target price of $249.45.

Trending Headlines about Brinker International

Here are the key news stories impacting Brinker International this week:

• Positive Sentiment: Brinker reported fiscal Q1 adjusted earnings of $2.77 per share, exceeding analyst estimates of approximately $2.45-$2.49 and rising from $2.17-$2.18 a year earlier. Revenue increased 9.4% to $1.48 billion, also topping the roughly $1.46 billion consensus. Brinker International Reports First Quarter Fiscal 2027 Results
• Positive Sentiment: Chili’s delivered its 22nd consecutive quarter of same-store sales growth, with comparable sales up 10% despite lapping a 21% increase in the prior-year quarter. Management said the brand’s three-year cumulative comparable-sales growth reached 52%, highlighting sustained customer demand and strong execution. Brinker Rallies After Chili’s Results
• Positive Sentiment: Management raised fiscal 2027 adjusted EPS guidance to $13.30-$13.90, slightly above the $13.28 FactSet estimate. The higher forecast signals that Brinker expects operating momentum, particularly at Chili’s, to continue. Brinker Fiscal 2027 EPS Guidance
• Neutral Sentiment: The earnings beat and outlook revision were widely reported, contributing to unusually heavy trading volume. However, the stock remains near its 52-week high, with a valuation around 20 times earnings, leaving investors dependent on continued sales growth to justify further gains. Brinker Q1 Earnings and Revenues Top Estimates

Brinker International Stock Up 12.0%

Shares of Brinker International stock opened at $220.29 on Thursday. The stock's 50-day moving average is $210.12 and its 200 day moving average is $174.06. Brinker International, Inc. has a one year low of $100.30 and a one year high of $254.99. The firm has a market cap of $9.20 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of 20.23, a PEG ratio of 0.95 and a beta of 1.25. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.95, a current ratio of 0.45 and a quick ratio of 0.40.

Brinker International (NYSE:EAT - Get Free Report) last issued its earnings results on Wednesday, October 28th. The restaurant operator reported $2.77 earnings per share for the quarter, topping analysts' consensus estimates of $2.45 by $0.32. The business had revenue of $1.48 billion during the quarter, compared to the consensus estimate of $1.46 billion. Brinker International had a return on equity of 122.35% and a net margin of 8.39%. The firm's revenue for the quarter was up 9.4% on a year-over-year basis. During the same period in the previous year, the company posted $2.17 earnings per share. Equities research analysts anticipate that Brinker International, Inc. will post 13.20 EPS for the current year.

About Brinker International

Brinker International, Inc is a casual-dining restaurant company that owns, operates and franchises restaurants in the United States and select international markets. The company is headquartered in Dallas, Texas, and serves customers through company-operated and franchised locations.

Brinker's principal brands are Chili's Grill & Bar and Maggiano's Little Italy. Chili's offers a broad menu of burgers, steaks, ribs, fajitas, Tex-Mex dishes, salads and beverages in a full-service, casual setting.

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